Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Preseason Camp Report
8/10/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2004
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BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY PRESEASON FOOTBALL CAMP REPORT #1 TIM LANDIS' SECOND PRESEASON CAMP GETS UNDERWAY LEWISBURG, Pa. -- A little more than eight months have passed since Bucknell wrapped up a turnaround 2003 season with a 45-16 win over Georgetown, and head coach Tim Landis, for one, was glad to be back on the field as preseason camp kicked off on Monday. The Bison went through their weightlifting and running testing on the first official practice day, then broke out the footballs for the first time on Tuesday. "It feels great to be back out here," said Landis after Tuesday's two-and-a-half-hour practice, which ended just as a thunderstorm was rolling into the area. "It was important to get all the testing out of the way in one day, then be able to come out and concentrate on football." Landis seemed very impressed by the level of conditioning displayed by the returning players. "The veterans as a whole came back in great shape," said Landis, who led Bucknell to a 6-6 record (4-3 Patriot League) in his debut here last season. "The conditioning test was collectively the best I've encountered in my 12 years as a head coach. It shows that the veterans that we are going to be relying on are taking this seriously, and to the coaching staff that is very exciting." ROOKIES IMPRESSIVE ON FIRST GLANCE Tim Landis was also pleased with the early performance of his freshman class. A total of 31 newcomers are in camp, including 27 freshmen, two transfers and two sophomore walk-ons. "The transition from high school to college football is a big one," said Landis, "and that's what all of these guys are going through right now. The talent in this freshman class is exciting. We need to keep monitoring their progress and see who can help us." SINGLE PRACTICE SESSIONS TO CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY Tuesday's practice was the first of four straight afternoon single sessions, with the first two-a-day practice to come on Saturday. The NCAA limited the number of allowable double practices last season, and the Bucknell coaching staff agrees with the changes. "It's a good opportunity for us to keep our legs fresh," said Tim Landis. "Especially with the rookies, we pile a large mental load on them early, and with one practice a day early in camp we don't have to battle both the mental and physical fatigue you tended to get when you started out camp with a lot of two-a-days. Mentally, the players are there for us when we need them to be." ROSTER UPDATE The Bison currently have 89 players in camp, including a late addition in walk-on offensive lineman Greg Wissman. Wissman, who wears No. 66, hails from Port Jefferson, N.Y., and attended Earl F. Vandermeulen High School. Three players who were listed on the roster in the Bucknell media guide will not play this season due to injury -- DB Anthony Lewis, DL Zach Richards and OL Collin Purcell. In addition, OL James Petcovic will not return to the team. TWO NEW FACES ON THE SIDELINES While 31 new players joined the Bucknell football squad for the start of preseason camp, head coach Tim Landis also has a pair of new faces on his coaching staff in Ralph Isernia and Brian Hoffner. Isernia, most recently associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Mansfield University, will coach the Bison slotbacks, while Hoffner, a Dickinson College alum who is making his collegiate coaching debut, will serve as a volunteer coach, assisting Tim Camp with the offensive line. BUCKNELL FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY INFORMATION The 2004 Bucknell Football Media Day has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 17, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place on the southernmost end of the football practice field. Head coach Tim Landis and his staff will be present and available for one-on-one interviews, as well as select players. Please contact the Office of Athletic Communications if you wish to attend the event, or if you have any interview requests. TWO INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGES HIGHLIGHT CAMP SCHEDULE Bucknell will play two intrasquad scrimmages during the preseason as it prepares for it season-opener at Villanova on Sept. 2 in Philadelphia. The first will take place on Thursday, Aug. 19, while the second is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26. BISON BRIEFS Starting QB Daris Wilson did not practice Tuesday due to a death in the family ... Bucknell was nearly injury free as camp got underway, with the only minor setback from Monday's conditioning tests a hamstring pull by RB Kenny Davis, a transfer from St. Mary's (Calif.) ... junior FB Blamah Sarnor turned in the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.48) during Monday's testing ... Bucknell's stable of freshman slot backs turned heads, including Greg Sutton, Roosevelt Davis and Corin Erby ... local product Ryan Slater, a freshman linebacker from Elysburg, Pa. (Southern Columbia), also looked sharp ... the Bison will don upper pads for the first time on Wednesday, and go to full pads for the first time on Friday ... the team broke out its new blue helmets on Tuesday, although decals will not be added until closer to the Sept. 2 opener.
